As of the 10th November, however, things have definitely kicked off for 05/06 in Rogers Pass with the Visitors Center re-opening for the winter. Forget the birds migrating south; the age-old instinct to load up the truck and chase the storms is as strong as ever. This last weekend, our instinct was re-awakened and we took the trip to Rogers Pass to visit our feeding ground. In the process, I caught up with Chris Fuoco, the ever friendly and helpful, always smiling face we all sign in with at the Visitors Center.

BL- How long have you worked here?
Chris- 18 years on and off.

BL- What does the Visitors Center offer to people coming to Rogers Pass to ski and tourists in general?
Chris- Avalanche reports, weather, permits for closed areas, safety registration so we know where people are headed and where to look if they don’t come back. Other than that, wildlife and transport displays, as well as local history. Many other things also that are too numerous to mention. (BL-And a fire to warm your boots in the morning)

BL- For those not familiar with Rogers Pass, why is it significant?
Chris- The pass was the natural path through the mountains when building the Canadian Pacific Railway. It linked the East and West. It brought a young Canada together and eliminated competition from U.S. railways. It is named after Major A.B. Rogers, an engineer who discovered the pass in 1881. By November 1885, the railway over the pass connected with track coming from the Pacific. It was a battle against the elements, namely avalanches, and claimed the lives of many of those who worked in constructing it.

BL- So how has the winter started?
Chris- Well, people say it’s great!

BL- What is your prediction or gut feeling for the winter?
Chris- No idea–it’s never the same.

BL- Where has all the ski touring traffic been concentrated up until now?
Chris- Connaught Creek here behind the Visitors Center and Asulkan Valley.

BL- In the last few years have you seen ski touring traffic increase?
Chris- Big time. It has increased significantly and we don’t even see everyone.

BL- In your opinion, how seriously do backcountry travelers take the risk of avalanche?
Chris- I think most people are well informed and generally experienced.

BL- Do you have any advice for people going into the backcountry at Rogers Pass?
Chris- Make sure you register here at the Visitors Center before going out. That way we know where to begin looking in the case of an accident. Also, reporting back what you think and see helps us and others. Feed back helps us keep you well informed.

BL- What is your favorite ski tour here at Rogers?
Chris- Anywhere up Connaught Creek. The access is short and there’s just so much to do up there.

BL- Any secret spots I can post on the World Wide Web?
Chris- No!!!

BL- What is your favorite beer in the Motel after a day touring?
Chris- If I’m not driving–Kokanee.

BL- Honestly now–did all the stuffed animals on display here actually die of natural causes?
Chris- Yes, natural causes and road-kill.

BL- Road-kill is a natural cause?
Chris- Well yeah. With so many cars on the Highway, it’s a natural cause.

BL- If you say so. What’s your latest toy?
Chris- iPod Nano. I love it.

BL- What is your “most played song”?
Chris- I don’t know. I leave it on shuffle.

BL- Do you follow BigLines?
Chris- Yes. There’s more news on it than we have here.

BL- Thanks for your time and the stoke you give us all when we come in. Just finally, in 25 words, what does Rogers Pass mean to you?
Chris- I grew up in Revelstoke–it’s home. Beautiful scenery and great people.

BL- Thanks again.

So how was the skiing you ask?
The visibility was poor and when we stopped it was cold. It was awful apart from knee deep cold smoke and fresh tracks. In other words, we had an amazing time blowing the cobwebs out of the legs and finding the groove again. We hiked up Connaught Creek both days and were well rewarded.
After 30cm of fresh and then wind, we dug a snow pit to see just how good it was. Much to our surprise, the snow pack measured 259cm in depth.
Certainly a promising start to the season don’t you think?
If things continue to progress as they have so far, there is every reason to be psyched for the coming the winter.
Amidst all the fun with friends and typically great Rogers Pass skiing, the mountains still remain a humbling environment. As we picked our way through the trees, skiing back down towards the skin track in the bottom of the valley, we heard the rumble that stops both time and your heart. Across the valley a huge slide had released from Cheops–the same aspect that claimed the lives of school students a few years ago when it released naturally, consuming them as they ascended up the creek.
We skied down quickly to check no-one was caught as they used the skin track we had hiked up that morning. It was definitely a class 3 Avalanche and the debris run out came within approximately 10 meters of the skin track.
While it was a privilege to witness nature in action, it was also a good wake up call to never be complacent in the mountains.

So, if you haven’t planned a trip to Rogers Pass this winter, you don’t know what you’re missing. Its big, alpine terrain and abundance of snow truly make it a winter wonderland. Maybe see you out there.